Dead or Alive

03: The Endless Journey Begins

Ravn stopped at three different gas stations on the way out of town, the last one being the only one that still had gas. There was nothing left inside, the boy could tell just from looking though the windows. The sound of gunshots boomed around them, and Ravn knew they weren't safe staying here for long.

The gas tank was now filled completely, but there was only enough gas left to fully fill one of the canisters. Ravn tried to collect as much possible in the other canister, but it didn't even get a third of the way filled, though it was still better than nothing. He knew that they were lucky enough with how things have gone anyways. Atleast the van has a good gas mileage.

Once back in the van, Ravn didn't hesitate to start driving. In the back, Keonhee and Leedo traded spots so the older could teach Seoho how to use a pistol. Xion was silently crying, leaning his head against the wall of the vehicle, while Keonhee tried to comfort him to the best of his abilities. Keonhee refused to look at his phone, mentally scarred from the images he saw earlier.

In the front, Hwanwoong was blankly starring out of the side window, watching nothing as images blurred together. Ravn didn't attempt to make conversation with anyone, his own head was spinning with dark thoughts that he never wanted to share. Images of his past loomed as well, being on the run for the third time in his twenty-four years of life. He knew that the younger boys had questions for him, but he wasn't even sure how to answer them at this point.

Seoho let out an exasperated sigh, throwing his head back on the seat. He understood how to work the gun now, but he couldn't believe he was taught by one of his friends on how to use it. Said friend now put the lethal weapon back in its case delicately.

"We aren't overreacting by doing what we have, are we?" Xion asked no one in particular, staring at the wrapped gift in his lap.

"I think it's going to get bad, from what I saw at least." Seoho was brave enough to answer the youngest. "So I think we've gone to the right measures doing what we have."

Ravn nodded, glancing in the mirror to look at this friends.

"It was such a normal day too." Hwanwoong muttered, almost as if to himself as he still stared at nothing.

It got silent for a few moments.

"You know," Ravn began, hesitating to say the next words, "people have been talking about an outbreak like this for weeks. No news reporters wanted to talk about it though, cause who would believe some scientists talking about a disease that would turn people into zombies. Even I didn't believe it at first."

"That's just insane." Leedo muttered to himself, shaking his head.

"Is that how you came up with a plan so fast?" Keonhee asked the oldest with caution. "Cause you kinda knew what was going to happen?"

"I...don't know." Ravn sighed, taking a hand off the wheel to run down the side of his face. "I just knew I was going to make sure all of you were safe and had the things we needed to survive. My protective instincts kicked in, I guess."

"That's why you were so certain about that message in class." Hwanwoong just now seemed to process the conversation, his voice though barely raised high enough for the others to hear.

Silence followed the conversation again. The sun began to set as they got to the outskirts of the city. Seoho and Leedo had switched their seats around, so Leedo was sitting in the innermost seat and Seoho could access the aisle way. They did this so Seoho could start moving some things around to make it more accessible for everyone.

Xion had fallen asleep by this point, too exhausted from what all happened today. His head was laying against the wall still, and Keonhee had pulled some random blankets into the both of their laps. Ravn said in order to conserve as much as they could he wouldn't turn on the air conditioner, which in reality was fine since it was cold outside. The downside was he also didn't want to turn the heater on, unless if it was truly necessary.